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HP Compaq TC1100

TC1100 in slate mode with the keyboard removed

TC1100 unfolded with keyboard attached

The HP Compaq TC1100 is a tablet PC sold by Hewlett-Packard that was the follow-up to the Compaq TC1000. The TC1100 had either an Intel Celeron or an Intel Pentium M chip set and could be upgraded up to 2 gigabytes of memory. The switch from Transmeta Crusoe processors to the Pentium M and the ability to add memory was welcomed after numerous complaints about the poor performance of the TC1000. The TC1100 was the last version from HP in this style of tablet. It was replaced by the HP Compaq TC4200, which featured a more traditional one-piece design.

Contents

The TC1100 has a 10.4 inch LCD display and pressure-sensitive pen that shares the same basic design as its predecessor, the TC1000. It has a design often referred to as a hybrid tablet, as it has the properties of both a convertible and slate tablet. All the necessary hardware components are stored within the casing of the display and digitizer. This allows it to work with or without a keyboard attached. With the keyboard attached, it can be used as a laptop, with the display rising by an adjustable hinge behind the keyboard. By rotating the display, the keyboard can fold inside the unit; or the keyboard can be removed entirely. Either method lets the user write on the screen easily, using a virtual keyboard or handwriting-recognition application for occasional character entry. This versatility gave the product a loyal following when there were no similar designs on the market.

The TC1100 allows for easy access to its memory, hard drive, and wireless card through screw-on covers on the rear of the screen unit. The installed memory is either 256MB or 512MB and can be upgraded to 2GB. The hard drive is also easily upgradeable. Most 2.5-inch IDE hard drives are compatible with it, but the tablet only addresses up to 137GB, due to a lack of LBA48 support. A wireless card can be installed on units not shipped with one, but some of these did not have the antenna installed, either.

Customizable controls include 3 physical buttons along the side of the unit, a "jog dial" assembly on the same edge, and 3 stylus-sensitive spots in the bezel of the display.

Two small retractable feet on the back on the tablet allow for an angled writing surface, and ventilation when placed on a flat surface.

By the end of 2005, HP had discontinued the TC1100. It retained a loyal following, however, due to its uncommon design. HP's official response to questions asked about the TC1100's discontinuation was that "HP remains committed to the Tablet PC platform".[1]

HP released a new line of tablets, starting with the TX1100US and the TX1200US. These updated versions are substantially more powerful than the TC series, but are of the more conventional convertible design.